Late last night, a lone gunman went on a killing spree in a movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado.

At least 12 people were murdered, and many more were wounded; some of them are in critical condition.

If you are a spiritual person, please say a prayer for the dead, the dying, and those living touched by this tragedy.

If you are not a spiritual person, any happy thoughts or kind gestures would surely be appreciated.

Please refrain from any speculation, politicization, rumor-mongering, conclusion-jumping, finger-pointing, and other similarly inappropriate behavior for just a little while, if possible. It hasn't even been 12 hours since the tragedy took place, and that sort of unproductive demagoguery is already being handled nicely by the 24-hour news venues.

Real tragedies like this happen, all over the world, and our responsibility to our fellow man is to render aid & support, be it large or small, in times of crisis.

Well, the word is out: DC Comics is returning to the world of WATCHMEN! And I am drawing all four issues of the DOCTOR MANHATTAN miniseries. First sign of the Apocalypse? You bet!

It's great to finally be able to talk about this project. I signed on AGES ago, and have kept mum about it, until now!

WATCHMEN is arguably the greatest superhero comic ever produced, and without a doubt my absolute favorite. Being allowed to draw these amazing characters isn't actually a dream come true: I never thought something like this would happen. I'm pretty nervous, but having fun so far.

My history with WATCHMEN goes way back. In 1986 I was working at Thunder Road Comics in Burlington, New Jersey, and I sold every issue of WATCHMEN as they came out. It was a pretty amazing time: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS was also shipping, so superhero comics were enjoying a banner year. The mullets, parachute pants, and New Coke made up for it, though. YIKES.

Several years back, I was one of the first artists to contribute designs to Zack Snyder's film adaption of WATCHMEN. I mean, I only worked on the film for, like, eight minutes, but I cast a long shadow! Did you like Silk Spectre in latex? That was ALL ME. That's right - I'm preening!

So, you see, I have some strange sort of orbital relationship to WATCHMEN. I feel pretty honored to be working it. I'm looking forward to drawing all these characters. Yes, DOCTOR MANHATTAN is an unusual choice to assign me to, but I'm assured that DC has a plan! Maybe they believe that, since I'm well-associated with drawing female anatomy, I'm qualified to handle blue penises. Wait... that doesn't sound right...

I love Alan Moore's canon of work, with special affection for MIRACLEMAN, THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN, and most definitely WATCHMEN. I hope to do some sort of justice to Dave Gibbon's brilliant art: he's one of the all time great illustrators ever to work in the field of comics, and I have a serious case of "My LAST boyfriend was a porn star!" performance anxiety when it comes to bringing his beloved characters to life. I've only met Dave twice: he was drunk both times, and holding an award both times as well (I'd celebrate, too, if I won awards). I hope that if I get to see him again, we'll manage a congenial hat trick of insobriety, and that he doesn't go all 'soccer hooligan' on my ass. "Those are MY characters, you apocalyptically colonial wanker!!"

I'm fairly stoked to be working with the fabulous J.M. Straczynksi. I loved his THOR run, especially. The man knows how to craft amazing tales, so I feel like you & I are in good hands.

So! I should get back to drawing Dr. Osterman, in all his phosphorescent azure glory: this miniseries has to ship in summer 2012, and no one will ever accuse me of being fast.

In case the next few days turn into a mad flurry of holiday activity, I wanted to wish all of you the very happiest of holidays, whatever the faith gives you comfort and solace.

I greatly appreciate all the kind, wonderful & enthusiastic folks out there who are always quick with a kind word, an encouraging thought, or helpful bit of criticism. I hope you all have a pleasant & happy holiday season, and a wonderful new year. Please take care of yourselves, those you care for, and let them take care of you in return. And thank you again for taking an interest in my ongoing attempts to better myself as an illustrator.

Not to leave anyone out: to all the time-wasting trolls, anonymous assholes, smartasses, and societal misanthropes... please go to hell and smoke a turd once there.

Really, REALLY sorry to have been away for so long. I'll not bore you with details. Things have just been busy (with my wife's ongoing medical condition), and my DA page had become quite a time vampire. If people write a note or message, I always felt compelled to at least READ them all, if not respond to all. I cant do that anymore; there's not enough hours in the day.

But! I will read as many as I can, when I can, and I will post art, regardless.

Thanks to everyone who made 2011's convention season a good one. ThoughtBubble in Leeds, UK, was a great way to round out the year.

Between doing covers for UNCHARTED, BATGIRL, and FAIREST, eBay auction commissions, and life as we know it (please include the nightmare that is San Diego Comic-Con, all I've been managing to do online is the occasional Tweet. I'll try to be better. And I'll post more art in the next few days...

Thank you all for the kind notes and messages; it really helps me get through the rough spots.

The absolute BEST thing that's ever happened to me at a San Diego happened this year: I met Matt Smith & Karen Gillan! Yup, I met the Doctor and Amelia Pond. Best day EVAR.

Working in UNCHARTED #2 and BATGIRL #4 right now. I love 'em, but I gotta say, FAIREST is probably my favorite assignment now. FAIREST #1 ships sometime in early 2012, so keep your eyes peeled!

Some of the loveliest ladies in cosplay have joined forces to help with disaster relief in Japan. Check out the site, order a calendar, and help a good cause. Also, the gals make 2012 pretty easy in the eyes!

LA was quite a trip. We got stuck an extra day which worked out great for fun, but messed me up, work-wise.

Top of the bill, the ROCKETEER screening:

The film was shown at Disney's El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood (my first time there). It was a new digital print, and it looked wonderful. The FX weren't cleaned up in any way. But they DID digitally paint out the wire dragging the 'crashing' GeeBee down the runway, from the beginning of the film.

Joe Johnston introduced the film, saying "I KNEW someday this film would be popular !" Apparently, not only was it the 20th anniversary of the film, but also the El Capitan's re-opening. THE ROCKETEER was the inaguaral release for the refurbished El Capitan, 20 years ago. Cool!

We saw star Bill Campbell getting mobbed for autographs in the aisle, even signing a few helmets! Tiny "Lothar" Ron was also there!

The film looked and sounded great, and everyone cheered and applauded (and laughed) at all the right places throughout the film. Dave Stevens' mom and sister were in attendance, as well. Sadly, Dave's mom passed away Wednesday night, only a day or so after the screening. Very sad news. We ran into her at dinner before, and exchanged the usual pleasantries. She seemed in good health, and high spirits.

After the screening, there was a panel discussion hosted by Kevin Smith(!) and featured Joe Johnston, star Bill Campbell, makeup legend Rick Baker, screenwriters Danny Bilson & Paul De Meo, and comics legend Bill Stout. Kevin Smith brought everything down to his own level, providing 2 things: laughs galore, and the prevention of the panel EVER making it on to a Disney BluRay. F-bombs GALORE.

Some funny bits .

While discussing starring in his first film, Bill Campbell was relating how much fun he had, but that he also, being young, got into some mischief on-set. To which Joe Johnston waited a beat and then said "Yeah, but she's not HERE tonight, Bill " The audience HOWLED and Campbell visibly blushed (he and Jennifer Connelly had a well-publicized relationship during filming). Campbell then said "Aww . That's NOT what I meant .." Kevin Smith pointed out that there was VISIBLE onscreen chemistry between the two (more blushing) and asked Johnston "Did you ever have to tell them 'Guys? I said CUT '" to which Johnston joked "Naw; I wanted to watch!" Campbell looked MORTIFIED.

All-in-all, a great experience. Afterwards, they walked everyone down to the Hollywood Museum, where they had props and costumes from the film on-display, as well as 2 separate dealers tables. One for DISNEY, and one for the Stevens Estate. There was a cool t-shirt and print for the event, as well a VERY limited-edition giclee of the Hughes Aviation World's Fair 1939 art you see Howard Hughes chuck in the fire in the film. They only made 20 of them, and did I get one? You bet. I never knew it was Dave Steven art, AND it's got my name on it. How could I not?

Some of the loveliest ladies in cosplay have joined forces to help with disaster relief in Japan. Check out the site, order a calendar, and help a good cause. Also, the gals make 2012 pretty easy in the eyes!

Well, I'm back home and trying to get back to work, all week. HeroesCon was a blast, as always. Especially since I'm no longer burdened with a sketch list. I have more time to talk with fans, chat with pros, and basically interact.

I'm still stunned at what the Black Cat/Catwoman piece I did for the art auction went for ($12,000). I don't paint anymore, I color all my work digitally. Painting with real paints, none of which I am accustomed to, on an easel, in front of dozens of people with cameras, with an 8-hour time limit is in no way, shape, or form ideal conditions for doing good work. But I do it to help out HeroesCon, to help keep the costs down.

OK. Gotta get ready for San Diego Comic-Con now!

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Here's the link to the ROCKETEER screening in LA at the fabulous El Capitan Theatre:

[link]

I'm super-excited about this! Seeing THE ROCKETEER in the heart of old Hollywood at Disney's classic theatre is once-in-a-lifetime treat.

Make sure you read all the stuff that's going on, and scroll down to see the full-size poster for the event - it's really cool!

Dave Stevens created THE ROCKETEER in the early 1980s, and was an instant smash hit. Dave had the fortune to participate in the film version of his creation, which came out in 1991. We lost Dave Stevens to leukemia 3 years ago, but this screening will hopefully be a doff of the flying cap to my late, great hero.

I'll be there, and I hope if you are in the LA area you will come down and see the show!

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Also, please don't forget to grab a Cosplay For A Cause calendar [link]

Some of the loveliest ladies in cosplay have joined forces to help with disaster relief in Japan. Check out the site, order a calendar, and help a good cause. Also, the gals make 2012 pretty easy in the eyes!

I'm super-excited about this! Seeing THE ROCKETEER in the heart of old Hollywood at Disney's classic theatre is once-in-a-lifetime treat.

Make sure you read all the stuff that's going on, and scroll down to see the full-size poster for the event - it's really cool!

Dave Stevens created THE ROCKETEER in the early 1980s, and was an instant smash hit. Dave had the fortune to participate in the film version of his creation, which came out in 1991. We lost Dave Stevens to leukemia 3 years ago, but this screening will hopefully be a doff of the flying cap to my late, great hero.

I'll be there, and I hope if you are in the LA area you will come down and see the show!

Some of the loveliest ladies in cosplay have joined forces to help with disaster relief in Japan. Check out the site, order a calendar, and help a good cause. Also, the gals make 2012 pretty easy in the eyes!

Well, made it home from Boston ComicCon, and got back to life as we know it. Thanks to everyone who came by and said "hi", with the exception of the eBay flipper who got a sketch and immediately sold it. Uncool, sir, VERY uncool. I hope you need experimental hemorrhoid surgery sometime in the near future.

Here's my upcoming convention schedule. As you may have heard (and I don't know why this is 'news'), I am no longer taking full sketch requests at conventions, for the foreseeable future. The eBay flipper was the straw that broke the camel's back.

HOWEVER.

This does not mean no one will ever get art, ever again.

We will be continuing to do guaranteed sketches via eBay before each and every convention I appear at. In fact, we will expand that from 1 per show to one per DAY.

So, if I'm doing a 3-day show, we will do 3 guaranteed sketches, auctioned on eBay, in the week before the show.

If you see that a convention appearance is looming, just go to www.ebay.com and do a search for my name, and you'll find the auctions.

I will also continue to do the $5-or-more head sketches for charitable causes.

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Here's my current 2011 Convention Schedule. As new shows are added, I'll post them here.

We'll be at WonderCon in San Francisco this weekend. 3 3-day conventions in 6 weeks... I'm gettin' too old for this shit.. (cue Michael Kamen saxophone riff).

We'll have the donation jar for Japan Disaster Relief again, and any help will be appreciated!

I will be in attendance all three days, from open to close, each day. We will have prints and sketchbooks for sale, and yes, I will be sketching. There will be designated signing times, because I can't get any sketching done if I get asked every 5 minutes to sign "just one comic, come on....." The designated signing times are the first and last hours of the show, each day. I don't know the show hours; please refer to the above link to find out that info.

If you want a sketch:

Prices range from $200 to $400 for sketches done in pencil, PITT Pen and COPIC marker.

I take ONE LIST for the whole weekend.

The Sketch List is open to all for the FIRST 10 MINUTES of the first day (Friday). Anyone can make it from the door to my table in 10 minutes, so there's no reason to wait in line or run.

The Sketch List is NOT 'first come, first serve'; I jump all over the List randomly, picking the next sketch after I finish the previous. Why? Because people camp out in the dark outside convention centers, sometimes in dangerous parts of towns, and then run like mad to get to my table FIRST. I don't want someone getting mugged in the dark waiting for a sketch, and I don't want anymore little kids knocked down in the stampede.

*********************************

Here's my current 2011 Convention Schedule. As new shows are added, I'll post them here.

C2E2 in Chicago was a big success! My heartfelt thanks to all who helped make it a wonderful weekend. Looking forward to WonderCon in San Francisco in 9 days!

We raised $1861.21 for disaster relief in Japan, also. People were wonderful, donating more than the minimum $5. People can be really nice!

As for the people I've heard criticizing the Japan aid effort because "Japan's a First World nation; they can afford to fix their own damages": I hope if your house burns down, your neighbors don't bother to help you. When the Mexican army came to New Orleans and operated on American soil for the first time since the War with Mexico in the mid-19th century, I don't think any Americans refused the much-needed help. First World, Third World, it doesn't matter: human suffering is universal. As Shaun of the Dead quoted Bertrand Russell: "The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation.

Also, Hachi the dog now has 30 applicants, trying to take him home; that's 5 times as many as have tried in the last 18 months. Yay, for the Milk of Human Kindness!

Finally, the poor, dumb son of a bitch who openly criticized me for bringing awareness to a dog's plight sent a sort of apology, privately. I'm not sure he completely understands why everyone is so upset with his behavior, but he nutted up and did a man's job and asked me to accept his explanation & apology. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported me by voicing their displeasure to this gentleman; you can stop sending him messages now. It made me feel like Charlie Sheen says he feels, only for a good reason.

My pal Tom Hodges put it best: dogs help find bombs and people, they help the blind & infirm get around, and they help sick kids. No animals deserve cruelty or abandonment, just like people don't, and anyone in need, human or otherwise, deserves the help of those that are in a position to provide it.

This sweet dog, Hachi, was badly burned in a fire but rescued by some typically bad-ass firefighters. He needs a home, if anyone in California wants a wonderful dog that, well, kinda looks like the Terminator:

I just received this comment about this journal post. I include my reply because I have well & truly HAD IT with people criticizing me every time I help a dog, when there are humans in need out there that I am OBVIOUSLY ignoring:

"Dude, people are dying in Japan and you're concerned about a dog?! This is just...wrong."

My response:

"Well, "Dude", before I tell you to go fuck yourself, please bear in mind that this Dogs In Need post was made the day before the Japanese earthquake/tsunami, and since I'm not a psychic I can't predict the natural disasters that will follow my posts, rendering them "just... wrong".

Please take the time to completely read a post before commenting, and hopefully you'll note the dates and corresponding sequence of events. I'm not taking down this post simply because of a human tragedy elsewhere: this dog still needs a home. One doesn't turn their back on someone the minute someone else has greater need.

And before you get bent out of shape over your perception that I care more about a dog than people in Japan, please bear in mind that I'm doing my part by doing head sketches for relief donations at the upcoming C2E2 show in Chicago this weekend (as well as WonderCon 2 weeks after that). I raised $4000 last year for dog rescue, and as far back as Hurricane Katrine, where we raised over $3700 for the Red Cross. I help humans and animals alike, so please don't call me "Dude", as if you know me personally, and don't presume to judge me. Feel free to rant about how awful I am anywhere else on the Internet, but if you ever try posting your ill-informed thoughts on MY DA page again, I will ban you.

I will be in attendance all three days, from open to close, each day. We will have prints and sketchbooks for sale, and yes, I will be sketching. There will be designated signing times, because I can't get any sketching done if I get asked every 5 minutes to sign "just one comic, come on....." The designated signing times are the first and last hours of the show, each day. I don't know the show hours; please refer to the above link to find out that info.

If you want a sketch:

Prices range from $200 to $400 for sketches done in pencil, PITT Pen and COPIC marker.

I take ONE LIST for the whole weekend.

The Sketch List is open to all for the FIRST 10 MINUTES of the first day (Friday). Anyone can make it from the door to my table in 10 minutes, so there's no reason to wait in line or run.

The Sketch List is NOT 'first come, first serve'; I jump all over the List randomly, picking the next sketch after I finish the previous. Why? Because people camp out in the dark outside convention centers, sometimes in dangerous parts of towns, and then run like mad to get to my table FIRST. I don't want someone getting mugged in the dark waiting for a sketch, and I don't want anymore little kids knocked down in the stampede.

The two auctions went well, thank you very much. Allison's medical expenses aren't entirely covered by our insurance, so this money really helps! I appreciate everyone who participated in the auctions, thank you so much!

Hi all, Allison here! I just wanted to steal a minute on Adam's DA page and post and let all of Adam's friends and fans know about a couple of art auctions Adam has ending this evening. On Ebay Adam has an auction for a Zatanna head sketch, done nicely in gray scale copic marker rendering. This was a warm up piece Adam did before starting a Zatanna cover.

The other auction is over on the ComicArtFans.com Marketplace site. This one is the Wonder Woman sketch from Adam's 10 minute video art lessons over on the Jerry's Artarama website. What-- you don't know about the 10 minute free art lessons by Adam over on Jerry's Artarama.com??? These helpful little video clips are a precursor to Adam's upcoming How-To-Draw dvd that will be released later this year by Jerry's. Anyway; you can see the auction for this Wonder Woman sketch over on ebay by following either of these links:

I hope everyone had a good 2010; mine could've been better. I'm hoping for a good 2011!

If anyone missed it, please try to catch the DOCTOR WHO CHRISTMAS CAROL holiday special. I've been a DOCTOR WHO fan since the 4th Doctor, and have loved the new show since 2005, loving each new Doctor more than the last. I didn't think the wonderful David Tenant was toppable, but Matt Smith is just the ever-lovin' BEST.

Here's my current 2011 Convention Schedule. As new shows are added, I'll post them here.